Noise cancelling vs. noise isolating

Pure ANC (Pure Adaptive Noise Cancellation)

Pure ANC is a form of noise cancellation that uses advanced algorithms to monitor the sounds around you and adjust the level of noise cancellation to best match your environment. Pure ANC also evaluates fit and adjusts for sound leakage caused by hair, glasses, the shape of your ear and movement of your head as you go about your day.Additionally, when noise cancellation is on, Pure ANC simultaneously checks what you’re hearing against the original music content to adjust and ensure optimal audio fidelity.

You can turn Pure ANC off if you want to use your headphones in low-power mode without sacrificing audio quality.

Passive noise isolation

Noise isolating earphones and headphones inherently block out ambient noise, without the use of batteries. Adjustable-fit ear tips on earphones and extra ear cup padding on headphones act as physical barriers to keep unwanted noise from reaching your ears. These barriers also help prevent people around you from hearing your music.

Active Noise Cancellation

For additional noise cancellation beyond passive noise isolation, internal and external microphones in the headphones measure unwanted ambient noises. Then, circuitry in the headphones generate sound at a frequency that cancels out those noises. Active noise cancellation works whenever headphones with this feature are turned on.